One of the UK's leading conservation charities has taken the drastic step of locking down its high-profile social media presence, citing serious concerns over artificial intelligence tools on the platform. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has suspended its account on X, formerly known as Twitter, placing its profile into a private state and halting all posting activity.
A Decision Driven by Safeguarding Concerns
The charity, which boasted a following of 407,000 users on the platform, announced its decision in a final statement posted on Monday, January 12, 2026. The RSPB stated it felt it had "no choice" but to protect its community after reports emerged about the misuse of X's integrated AI chatbot, Grok. The organisation specifically highlighted fears that Grok could be used to generate non-consensual and inappropriate imagery of real individuals.
"Leaving it public would pose a potential safeguarding risk to our staff, volunteers and supporters," the charity explained in its departing post. While the account will remain in a private state for potential future use, the RSPB confirmed it has no plans to post for the foreseeable future.
The Grok AI Controversy and Wider Repercussions
The move places the wildlife charity at the centre of a growing debate about AI safety and content moderation on social media. Grok, a generative AI tool developed by Elon Musk's company xAI and integrated into X, allows users to generate images based on prompts. Concerns have mounted after users reportedly prompted the tool to create sexualised images of real people, including public figures and, alarmingly, children.
This situation prompted the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, to make "urgent contact" with X to discuss these reports. The RSPB's action is a significant example of an organisation taking proactive steps to distance itself from the platform due to these ethical and safety issues. In response to the shutdown, one supporter commented online, "Not looking good for X with statements like this today," indicating a potential ripple effect among other users and organisations.
Where the RSPB's Work Continues
The charity was quick to direct its vast supporter base to alternative online spaces where its conservation work continues unabated. A spokesperson pointed followers towards the RSPB's active accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.
Emphasising that its primary mission is rooted in the physical world, the statement added: "You can still find us... out in the real world too – at over 200 nature reserves across the UK – where our work for nature continues every day." The decision underscores a strategic shift for the charity, prioritising the safety of its community over maintaining a presence on a platform it now deems to carry unacceptable risk.
